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Staff Report January 11, 2019NewsComments Off on State Rep. González to Serve as Chair of Newly Formed LGBTQ Caucus

AUSTIN – With Thursday’s historic formation of Texas’ first-ever LGBTQ Caucus, one local representative will take a leading role in the fight for equal representation.

Five openly LGBTQ Texas legislators will comprise the first members of the House LGBTQ Caucus.

The members include Rep. Mary González, who was elected Chairwoman of the Caucus, as well as Reps. Celia Israel, Jessica González, Julie Johnson, and Erin Zweiner.

“During the 85th regular and special sessions, we continually heard from Texas’ businesses how anti-LGBTQ policies harm our state’s economy,” said newly elected Chairwoman Mary González.

“This session, I am looking forward to collaborating with my fellow LGBTQ Caucus members to advocate for proactive legislation that creates greater equity in our state.”

Nearly one million Texans identify as part of the LGBTQ spectrum, signaling a drastic need for representation at all levels of elected office. The caucus is eager to usher in inclusive legislation and advance necessary protections for LGBTQ Texans.

The creation of the LGBTQ Caucus will enable the Texas Legislature to elevate the voices of this marginalized and underrepresented population. The Caucus hopes to conduct their work at the intersections of identity in order to craft meaningful policy that will improve the lives of Texans.

“Politics is always done best by building strong coalitions. This historic moment is invigorating,“ said Rep. Celia Israel. “Serving alongside 4 openly LGBTQ women brings me great pride. We’re excited for allies to join the caucus and help us advance equality in Texas.”

Membership is open to all members, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

On Thursday, State Representative Mary González filed House Bill 258 to fix what she calls “our broken school finance system.”

“It is urgent that we address school finance,” Rep. González said. “The state refuses to provide enough money for education, and every year the state’s share dwindles as rising property values fill in the gap.”

Via a news release, Rep. Gonzalez adds, “Governor Greg Abbott uses the lives of schoolchildren for political posturing without actually addressing school finance. The House has consistently demonstrated leadership on this issue over the past two years, generating real solutions regarding school finance, rather than continuing to talk about fixing it.”

HB 258 is a comprehensive solution to a complex problem. It includes studies of equity and adequacy, raises the basic allotment, and adds an inflation adjustment. The bill also increases the bilingual and compensatory education allotments, raises the equalized wealth level to lift all districts and reduce recapture, and repeals previous inefficiencies.

HB 258 enables public schools to tackle the challenges of a changing Texas head-on by providing updated funding mechanisms tied to the current reality of Texas students and teachers.

“In a state as diverse and fast-growing as Texas, we simply have to put more resources into public education,” Rep. González said. “Increased funds for education is a win-win- win: Property tax relief, more resources for schools to meet the diverse needs of their students, and a better future.”